APC Chieftain Odirichukwu Denies attacking Ahiazu Mbaise LG Chairman at Function Amid Controversy

There is apparent tension in the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government area of Imo State following a heated disagreement that ensued among party members in a recent meeting.

Eye witness reports stated that the disagreement was between Chief Ethel Ugwu the Council’s Party Chairman and a member of State Executive Committee, SEC, Officer, Mr Tony Odirichukwu during a meeting of leaders recently at the State capital, Owerri.

Fielding questions from the media as regards the issue, Mr Tony Odirichukwu who vehemently rebutted allegations bordering on attack on Chief Ethel Ugwu, stressed that politics is a matter of interests which he said does not mean that people could not disagree on issues based on interest.

He said “in politics, you air your opinion and allow others to do so without interference” as he did not attack anybody, and cannot stoop that low.

“I don’t know what one means by attack”

The APC Chieftain further disclosed that since the misunderstanding, disagreement and alleged attack was in a formal party meeting over an alleged Charmanship Candidates Selection list of the party in buildup to the forthcoming LG elections is at stake; it should be wise to report to the party’s leadership for necessary actions, noting that “if there is anything that anyone said or did during such party meetings, there are procedures stipulated in the party’s guidelines, to follow.

“The said meeting was an official one which means that he has access to the party’s hierarchy where one can report the misdemeanor. Then if one had done so, he should wait and allow the party to look into it if he feels offended by my presentation, attitude or approach”, Odirichukwu said.

Continuing, he denied that “nobody was writing any list as it is being bandied about rather the party had a meeting to look into certain information”

Odirichukwu however claimed that he never attacked anyone adding that if there was any physical attack as such, such attack ought have an evidence as he equally rebutted allegations bordering on query from the party.

However, according to Ahiazu Mbaise APC Chairman, Chief Ugwu, the misunderstanding took place during a meeting of some LGA Party chieftains in Owerri where he was invited for a meeting by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Labour Matters, Comrade Austin Chilakpu, at Suncity Hotel Owerri, to meet APC chieftains from their LGA, such as Hon Pat Obasi, Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Hon Anslem Anyanwu and Chief Mike Uzodinma.

Ugwu alleged that at the meeting, a list of Local Government Councillors was type-written and given to him to sign, which he declined to do, hence the altercation between him and Mr Odirichukwu, resulting in the attack.

He also informed our reporter that a query has been issued to the state officer of the party after which the disciplinary committee would look into the allegation.

Party leaders who spoke from the area who do not want their names in public, described the tension as regrettable and called for reconciliation among members of the party

They urged the state party leadership to get involved and deal with issues that would douse the heightened tensions in the LGA.